Marie-Pierre Schickel (E95), CEO of ESSEC Alumni, welcomed all guests and thanked the Gala’s sponsors. She also highlighted the strength of the ESSEC community’s international ties. Alumni in the United States represent the third-largest community of graduates outside France.
Vincenzo Vinzi, Dean of ESSEC, presented the School’s strategy, with a focus on the early progress of the North America Hub in New York, led by Nur Manisali. This hub provides unique opportunities in North America to strengthen academic collaborations with prestigious universities, as well as for students and graduates, enhancing recruitment activities, international mobility, and fundraising.
ESSEC USA Visionary Award
Congratulations to Julien Bonneville (E06), Founder and CEO of TheGuarantors, winner of the 2026 ESSEC USA Visionary Award for his bold journey and revolutionary fintech solution in the U.S. real estate market. His path is defined by audacity and influence, embodying the spirit of the ESSEC community. Thank you, Julien, for sharing your vision and proving that entrepreneurship is truly at the heart of the ESSEC spirit.
Anne de Louvigny Stone (E83), President of ESSEC USA, presented him with the award on behalf of the ESSEC community in the United States.
A huge thank you to the Gala sponsors
Thierry Fritsch (E80), President of the ESSEC Foundation, emphasized the importance of international outreach to support the School’s ambitions, particularly through an ambitious social scholarship policy.
Lucie-Anne Henry, Executive Director of the ESSEC Foundation, and Côme Lagny, a scholarship student on a VIE assignment in New York, illustrated the tangible impact of these scholarships as a lever for equal opportunity.
A huge thank you to the Gala sponsors
Without the support of generous donors and sponsors, this evening would not have been possible. A special thank you also to the generous donors who contributed to the auction.
Silver Sponsors :
David Markson (E10), Evercore, The Guarantors, Firmdale Hotels
Grand Sponsor :
Alfred Traboulsi (E03)
Auction Contributors :
Thomas Droumenq (E97), Alain Barbet (E80), François-Olivier Luiggi (IMHI 92), Faena New York, Thomas Woynar (IMHI 13) and the Crosby Street Hotel.
With additional support from :
Anne Catherine Nielsen (IMHI 96), Anne de Broca Hoppenot (E82), Lionel Erdely (E97), Olivier Suinat (E88).
To discover the previous edition of the ESSEC Gala Benefit 2024, click Here
About ESSEC USA
ESSEC USA is a 501(c)(3) organization registered in New York, allowing U.S. residents to receive tax deductions for their donations. Learn more
If you would like to learn more about the ESSEC Foundation’s initiatives in the United States or abroad, please contact Gaëlle Devoucoux (E09), International Development Manager : gaelle.devoucoux@essec.edu
Learn more about the impact of your donations to the ESSEC Foundation
Thanks to a fundraising total of €2.9 million (up 23% from 2024) the Foundation has strengthened its support for the school’s strategic pillars, including :
- Social Scholarships : nearly 3,000 students have received social scholarships since 2011.
- Academic Excellence : 112 awards and grants have been awarded to faculty since 2011.
- Responsible Entrepreneurship Schorlarships : 6 new grants were awarded to students to cover their living expenses while launching their businesses. A total of 23 student entrepreneurs have benefited from grants since 2023
If you would like to learn more about the ESSEC Foundation’s initiatives in the United States or abroad, please contact Gaëlle Devoucoux (E09), International Development Manager : gaelle.devoucoux@essec.edu
